Transitions: modeling microbial community metabolic interactions under extreme conditions

This three-year, $899,031 project grant from the National Science Foundation's Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) supports modeling of microbial community metabolic interactions under extreme conditions. Duke University will receive funding to conduct research titled "TRANSITIONS: MODELING MICROBIAL COMMUNITY METABOLIC INTERACTIONS UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS" from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024. Under the award, Duke University will analyze salt-loving microbial communities inhabiting the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Westminster College will receive a sub-award of $XX,XXX to support field work and initial laboratory processing including DNA, RNA, and metabolite extraction from samples collected at the Great Salt Lake field sites with assistance from the Great Salt Lake Institute. Both Duke University and Westminster College aim to expand undergraduate research opportunities through this collaboration studying microbial adaptation to extreme salt concentrations.